Sound transducing apparatus



1 P. J. THOMAS ETAL 2,971,804

souma TRANSDUCING APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS PHILIP J.THOMAS a FRANK L. MOORE A T TOPNE Y Feb. 14, 1961 P. J. THOMAS El'AL 2,971,804

SOUND TRANSDUCING APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1958 3 Sheets-Shet 2 INVENTORS I26 PHILIP J.THOMAS 8x FRANK L. MOORE ATTORNEY Feb. 14, 1961 p. J THOMAS ETAL 2,971,804

SOUND TRANSDUCING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 19, 1958 FIG.4

F'IG.5

INVENTOR5 F'IG.8

FIG.7

PHILIP J. THOMAS 8 FRANK L. MOORE Bjg ATTORNEY 2,971,804 SOUND TRANSDUCING APPARATUS Philip J. Thomas, Southington, andv Frank L. Moore, Newlngton, Comm, assignors to The Gray Manufacturing Compan a corporation of Connecticut Filed Mar. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 722,406 13 Claims. 01. 312-8) This invention relates to sound transducing apparatus,. and is particularly applicable to equipment of the type employed for oflice dictation, and transcription.

The rapid developments in this field, largely due to the adoption of electronic circuits and remote controls, have been accompanied by ever increasing problems of assembly and servicing. These problems have been intensified by the growing trend to reduce the size and weight of such equipment while at the same time calling for the additional components required to perform many' additional functions. It is among the objects of the present invention to provide such equipment that can be assembled and disassembled easily'and quickly, permitting a maximum degree of accessibility to all portions which are apt to require adjustment, replacement or repair.

In'one of its aspects, the present invention relates to sound transducing apparatus comprising a frame, record supporting means and control means carried by the frame, a first cover having opposed elementsstraddling the frame, the frame and elements providing cooperating pins and slots, at second cover having opposedv elements straddling the frame and containing slots registrable with the pins, the pins and 'slots restraining the frame and covers against relative movement in a first direction, and clamping means urging the pins relatively into the slots in directions disposed at less than 180 with respect to the first direction. The first cover comprises a top wall, an end wall and sidewalls and is smaller in one dimension than the frame so as to expose a portion of the frame. The second cover comprises a bottom, wall, an end wall and side walls, opening forwardly and upwardly. Each of thecovers has an open end exposing ,an end. of the frame in assembled relationship. The frame comprises separable members preferably hinged together along one of the side edges and means adjacentthe oppositeside edge, the top and bottom frame members each providing accessible upper and lower mounting surfaces for the electrical and mechanical components constituting the ,operating parts. The second cover preferably comprisesja bottom 'vvaIL'containin'ga plurality of perforations each of which receives a .I;

silient element having opposed heads which serve re spectively as shock mounts for the frameandfeet or supports for the apparatus as an entirety. I N

The mutually hinged top and bottom frame members have a pivotal axis adjacent their proximate edges, there being a control device movably supportedori the bottom frame-member and an actuating member rnovably sup? ported on the top frame member, the actuating element engaging the control device at a point lying on the piv: otal axis so, as to maintain cooperation between the parts regardless of the relative a gular positions assumed by the hinged members as'they are moved about their pivplates :1 frame having side wallsfa pin secured to each of the side walls and projecting outwardly therefrom,a

bottom cover for the frame -having sidewallscon i ing slots opening upwardly to receive the pins and extending longitudinally to accommodate relative axial movement, a top cover provided with slots registrable with the pins, and clamping means interengaging the top cover and frame for advancing the pins axially relative to the slots.

The invention also contemplates a frame having upper, lower, side and end surfaces, record engaging means and control means carried by the frame and extending above the upper surface, and cooperatingtop and bottom covers secured to the frame and having top, bottom, side and end walls covering one of the end surfaces, a

portion-of the upper surface and the lower and side surfaces, while exposing one of the end surfaces and at an adjacent portion of the upper surface, portions of the side walls adjacent the exposed portion of the upper surface extending above the record engaging means and control means to protect the same.

A more complete understanding of the invention will follow from a detailed description of the accompanying drawings wherein: v

Fig. 1 is an isometric view depicting transducing apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view on a somewhat enlarged scale and partially broken away, of apparatus of the type depicted in Fig. l; 1

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, partially broken away, of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a top cover for the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, with a number of the operating components removed, of the frame assembly of the apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation depictin g a'bottom cover for the apparatus; a a

Fig. 7 is, a fragmentary side lustrate a step in the assembly;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation depicting a further step in the assembly;

Fig. 9 is arfragmentary isometric view' of a portion of the frame assembly wherein the frame members have been partially separated; and

elevation serving to il- Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional elevation depicting the frame members in their closed positionsabout their pivotal axis.

The'transducing apparatus comprises a frame assembly 20, a top cover.22 and a bottomcover 24 depicted in their assembled relationship in Fig. 1. The frame assembly provided with latching iln premieres aspectsgihe present invention eon-nag includes a top frame 26 and a bottom frame 28, the major portions of which are concealed by the covers. As clearly shown in Fig. 1 however, the front end. wall portion of the upper surface or deck 32 of the top frame membei' 26. v r

Towards the opposite ends ofthe front wall. 30 ofthe bottom frame, slots 34 are provided through which thumb wheels 36 and 38 project for the selection of the proper gain adjustment for listening and dictation respectively.- The exposed portion of the upper surface 32 of the top frame member 26 constitutes a deck for the record disc 40, depicted in broken lines, which is impaled on a fluted spindle 42 and which is supported above the deck by spaced plush or mohair strips 44.- Theoperating levers for controlling the, functions of the apparatus and for punchingasuitable index element are carried by the frame assembly, and proceeding from left to right as viewed in Fig. 1, there will be found a quick review lever '46, a listen lever 48, an end punch lever 50, a correction punch lever 52 anda talk lever 54. ,Also projecting,

throughlthe upper wall or surface132 of the top frame member is a thumb wheel 56 fpnadjus'tingtherelative,

, positions of the record and sound headl orheads, not, a shown. I'Ihe bottom cover' 24r provides jrelativelyipronii frame assembly 20 which project upwardly and forwardly sufiiciently to protect the exposed operating parts of the equipment including the various. levers and wheels.

Acombined speaker and microphone 60 equipped with a start-stop switch operator 62 is connected to the apparatus electrically by means of a conductor cable 64. The apparatus is connected to a power source by means of a cable 66 terminating in a plug 68.

As will be apparent from Fig. 5, each of the side walls 70 of the lower frame member 28 carries a projecting pin 72 for reception in a pair of slots 74, respectively, formed in the side walls 58 of the bottom cover 24', shown in Fig. 6. To assemble the frame assembly 20 with respect to the bottom cover 24, the frame assembly will be lowered into the bottom cover so that the pins 72 will enter the upwardly opening portions of the slots 74, whereupon the frame assembly will be moved axially into the slots towards the rear of the bottom cover. This relationship has been illustrated in Fig. 7 showing the'pin and slot in relative positions which they assume when theframe assemoly has been moved to its ultimate position relative to the bottom cover. From this illustration, it will be evident that the pin 72v never engages the extreme end of the slot. Whereas the slot 74 has been depicted as horizontal in direction, it can be assigned other angles which are less than '180" relative to the 7 initial downward movement during which the pin is received in the upwardly open end of the slot.

As shown in Fig. 4, the top cover 22 has secured to its side walls 76, suitable lugs or brackets 78 containing for wardly opening slots 80. After the frame assembly has been inserted in the bottom cover as previously described,- the top cover 22 will be moved downwardly bringing its lugs 78 in registry with the cut-out portions 82 of the bottom. cover 24, whereupon the top cover will be moved axially forwardly so that the slots 80 will also receive the pins 72. In this connection it will be noted that the brackets-78 are provided with stepped portions 83 so that. the forward ends containing the slots 80 will lie between the side wall 70 of the frame assembly and the side wall 58 of the bottom cover. With the'parts in these positions, screws or other suitable clamping members 84, shown in Fig. 2. will be inserted through openings formed. in the rear wall 86of the top cover 22 into threaded openings formed in the ,rear wall 88 of. the frame assembly 24 so that when the sc ews arethreaded into these openings,.the frameassembly willbe moved rear wardlv relativetoi the bottom cover 24 whilethe top cover 22 will be moved forwardly relative thereto; establishing an interlocked relationship'between the pins 72 and'the.

of this relationship of parts, regardless of the relative positions assumed by the top and bottom frame members about their hinges, the changeover switch will always be under the control of the actuating element 110. Under these circumstances, when the equipment is being serviced, the service man can inspect, repair and adjust the mechanism under ordinary-operating conditions and there will be no departure from a condition of registration of these members.

Depending from the upper frame member 26 as viewed in Fig. 3, there is a leaf spring 118 which rides over a. short inwardly projecting portion 120 of the pin 72 serving as a latch for'the hinged top and bottom frame members. Thus, when they are moved together about their separation and vibration.

pivotal axis 90, the projecting portion of the spring 118 at its lower end will snap over the end 120 of the pin 72 to restrain the hinged members against accidental As also shown in Fig. '3, the bottom wall 122 of the bottom cover 24 contains'four' perforations 124 for the reception of resilient grommets 126 having spaced heads joined by reduced shanks. The lowermost of these heads projecting from the bottom surface of the bottom cover member serve as feet to sup 1 port the apparatus as an entirety. The uppermost of these heads lie between the upper surface of the bottom cover and the lower surface of the frame assembly to serve as shock mounts to isolate the working parts of the mechanism from external vibration which might result in damage.

Whereas only one specific form of the invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, various modifications will be suggested to those skilled in the art and accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be restricted beyond that of the appended claims.

Weclaim:

a first cover having opposed elements straddling said frame and enclosing a portion thereof, said frame and elements having cooperating pins and slots, a second cover having opposed elements straddling said frame and enclosing a portion thereof and containing slots'registrable with said pins, said pins and slots restraining said slots 74 and 80. 7 The relative positions of the pins and;

slots in such assembled relationship has been illustrated ari s. 7

The top axis90 depictedin eachof Figs. 5 and 9. 'The'upper frame "member 26 carries downwardly; directed hinged leaves 92'and '94 which cooperate with hinge members 96 and 98 respectively, carried by the bottom frame member 28. Thesecooperating hinge members are penetrated by'pintles 100 and 102 lying along the pivotal axis 90. The bottom frame. member supports a change-' over Switch having a movable portion 104, diagram-j through the upper surface fof the top frame member;

Movement of the actuating element is etfecte'd about a suitably supportedpivot 114 depicted in Fig. 5; The. lower end 1l6 -of the' actuating elementis designed .to

engage vthe control device or. bell crank 108- ata point isws s a s t ri a 2 lf ima frame member 26 and the bottom frame member 28 are hinged for relative movement'about a pivotal {frame r Y Apparatus asset forth in .claim '1 wherein said i frame comprises separable members.

hinged relationship.

frame and covers against relative movement in a first direction, and clamping means urging said pins relatively into said slots in directions disposed at less than with respect to said first direction and urging said covers towards said frame. v w

12. Apparatus as set forth inaclaim l wherein said first cover comprises a top wall, an end wall and side walls. '3'. "Apparatus as set forth in 'claim 1 wherein said first .covesis smaller in one dimension than said frame and thereby exposes a portion of said frame.

, 4Q Apparatus asset forth 'in claim 1 wherein said second cover comprises a bottom wall, an end'wall and side walls. a a

, 5.;Apparatt'1sfas set forth in claim.1 wherein each of said covers has an' open end exposing an end of said T 7. Apparatus as set-forth in'claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a plurality of separable membersin Apparatus as set 7 frame comprises a plurality of separablemembers inr eluding top and bottom frame members each providing accessible upper and lower mounting surfaces. v 9. Apparatus as set forth' "n claim .1 wherein said secondcover comprises a bottom'wall'containing a plurality of perforations, each perforation receiving aresilient element, having opposed heads serving respective- 1y, as shock'mounts for said'frame and supports for the 5 apparatus: i

' 10. seam eminent; n r a e compr si a m '1. Sound transducing apparatus comprising a frame,

forth in claim 1 wherein said having side walls, a pin secured to each of said side walls and projecting outwardly therefrom, a bottom cover for said frame having side walls containing slots opening upwardly to receive said pins and extending longitudinally to accommodate relative axial movement, a top cover provided with slots registrable with said pins, and clamping means interengaging said top cover and frame for advancing said pins axially relative to said slots and advancing said covers towards said frame.

11. Sound transducing apparatus comprising a frame having upper, lower, side and end surfaces, cooperating top and bottom covers secured to said frame and having top, bottom, side and end walls covering one of said end surfaces, a portion of said upper surface and said lower and side surfaces, while exposing one of said end surfaces and an adjacent portion of said upper surface, portions of said side walls adjacent the exposed portion of said upper surface extending above said upper surface.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein portions of said side walls extend forwardly of said upper surface.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein portions of said side walls extend forwardly beyond an end surface of said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,259,397 Hathaway Mar. 12, 1918 1,413,219 Gerson Apr. 18, 1922 2,028,509 Knell Jan. 21, 1936 2,185,770 Larson Jan. 2, 1940 2,293,504 Higgins Aug. 18, 1942 2,331,166 Braun Oct. 5, 1943 2,552,757 Adler May 15, 1951 2,849,892 Shane Sept. 2, 1954 

